I Hate My IPOD

[Doublewide]

Freaking hate it. Has caused me nothing but misery since I bought it a year ago. 15 gig if you care. Hell of a time with getting songs onto it, the battery sucks, I downloaded 100 songs off music match website.... found out they do not work on the IPOD. Customer service is the worst I have ever seen with any company.

I have used a mac for years although I have windows now. I think I am going to dump this piece of crap out and get something new.

I know there are many die hard Apple fans out there so I really do not want to hear about how great it is. If it was so great there would not be a massive website set up for fixing all the problems with it.

My question, is there another one of these types of players out there that works easily? Anyone used another type?

By the way, my IPOD is for sale. I will post it in the classifieds as soon as I find a different brand that I am happy about.

[qpid]

So you hate the ipod because songs from the musicmatch website don't work with it?!?! thats kind of a funny reason to hate a product.

what accessories would you be selling? :0

for ease of use and not ipdo some people like the creative zen series or the dell dj

[enjoilax]

BACK OFF VULTURES THE 15 giger IS MINE!!!

No offense man.. But theres a way to get the musicmatch stuff to work with your stuff.... Just burn to normal CD and re rip.

[Riceboi]

I don't know why the heck anybody would use Musicmatch to get music. But whatever. Plus I don't think ipolounge is all about a "massive website set up for fixing all the problems with it." It just has a strong following with great support from other users. Its unfortunate things dind't work out. Nonetheless I'd have to recommend the iRiver iHP-120 if the iPod doesn't make you happy (think thats obvious). G'luck. Oh yea and iRiver has support forums of their own too...doesn't mean that they suck or have tons of problems

[Doublewide]

Thanks for your input. I FINALLY got my music downloaded with Ephpod. Itunes would never download my library. It would only do a few songs at a time then just quit. Tried going back to MMJB but apparently Apple has made it so you can't use mmjb if you have Itunes on your system. That is what I heard and I confirmed it by the fact that MMJB is not and is still not working properly. It still won't recognize my IPOD. I am now downloading music into MMJB and using Ephpod to download onto my IPOD.

At least I have my songs on my IPOD now. By the way, I have had my IPOD for about a year. The battery now sucks. I had to charge it a few times just to download my songs.

I know there are alot of guys out there who love thier IPODS and I am starting to like mine but this is ridiculous. I promise we will look back one day and laugh at the time and effort we put into these things to make them work. I know some have no problems but obviously, there are alot that do have problems.

Would it not be great to just download your music and then just drop your library into your IPOD. I know some of you can do this. But I am using two programs now just to do a simple little task.

And this deal with Itunes not letting you use other players is a joke. My mmjb no longer works properly even though I uninstalled Itunes. Not letting music downloaded from mmjb to work on your IPOD is a joke. Apple is back to its old tricks by not wanting to play nice with others. I said this in another post but this is what got them into trouble to begin with. You have to remember they are just a short time from when they were not even sure if they were going to be around any more.

By the way, I am paying to download a few songs because I just can't find them sometimes when I want them. Not sure what everyone here uses but I am using Limewire and Kazaa. Seems the selection is not what it used to be. I am sure it is from the RIAA lawsuits.

Thanks for letting me rant.

[pd417]

I agree with DW in his initial post about his frustration in getting this little device to work. I thought Apple was supposed to be intuitive and work right out of the box. Not in my case.

I have a 3G 15G iPod that I got a few days ago. Installed the software and setup the iPod exactly per the manual. Problem is, the iPod will not show up as a drive or device. I uninstalled and reininstalled the software, reset, still not showing up. I checked the device manager, the iPod is there but with a yellow exclaimation point next to it, meaning the device isn't working properly. I did confirm that the drivers are properly installed.
Not to mention, I have the ever popular flashing "Do Not Disconnect" message on the screen that won't go away!

I realize this topic has be dealt with, but if someone can assist me on this, it would be much appreciated.


Thx...

[enjoilax]

I have had no problems ever w/ my ipod. EVER.

I have no idea what you people are talkin about.

[AndyH]

It's really a shame that there are so many iPod - iTunes - Windows problems. I'm by no means a "Windows-basher", heck I troubleshoot an office full of Win XP machines 5 days a week and generally like Windows. But the iPod - iTunes - Windows experience for so many people sounds pretty rocky.

Thankfully, I've got a Mac at home and I haven't experienced any issues whatsoever with how my iPod interfaces with it and iTunes. I realize that there are folks out there running Windows as well that don't have any problems, but it certainly seems like there are a larger percentage of Windows users here with iPod/iTunes issues compared to Mac folks. I hope Apple can address this isssue in the future, or they're going to alienate a whole bunch of Windows users and drive them to purchase other MP3 players.

[NS2000X]

Originally posted by AndyH
It's really a shame that there are so many iPod - iTunes - Windows problems. I'm by no means a "Windows-basher", heck I troubleshoot an office full of Win XP machines 5 days a week and generally like Windows. But the iPod - iTunes - Windows experience for so many people sounds pretty rocky.

Thankfully, I've got a Mac at home and I haven't experienced any issues whatsoever with how my iPod interfaces with it and iTunes. I realize that there are folks out there running Windows as well that don't have any problems, but it certainly seems like there are a larger percentage of Windows users here with iPod/iTunes issues compared to Mac folks. I hope Apple can address this isssue in the future, or they're going to alienate a whole bunch of Windows users and drive them to purchase other MP3 players.

I understand people have problems. I sympathize. However I run two iPods (40GB & mini) on one XP machine and have had no problems what so ever.

When I first got my 40GB iPod back in early December it was literally plug and play.

NS2000X

[LowMach]

My life is better when my ipod is working correctly!

:D

[Enigma]

I've heard good things about the iRiver iHP140, http://www.iriveramerica.com/estore/ihp-140.htm

[tanakasan]

Doublewide,

First, uninstall MM and iTunes. Reboot and reinstall ONLY iTunes. Both will not work together properly. I personally disabled the "automatic sync" because I want to tell iTunes "when, what and where" to sync my music.

Next, the iPod uses a lot of power writing to the HD. You stated that you have a PC-go get an Apple approved PCI Firewire card. It will allow you to sync and charge from the PC with the Apple included cable. Forget about FW for iPods, its an afterthought.

Use CDex to rip MP3s. Free download, fast and reliable. Then add folders or files via iTunes to iTunes library, drag and drop from there to your connected iPod.

I use WinXPH on a Dell PC, Belkin FW PCI card, 3G/20gb iPod w/iTunes. No problems. Since day one.

[Doublewide]

I want to thank all those who have taken the time to post and help.

Congratulations to those who have had no problems with their IPOD. I wish I were you. As I stated, I am now able to work with my IPOD using the method above. It may not be the best system but it is working for me and I am not about to change a thing. Except maybe get the firewire card mentioned above.


If it helps any of you sleep any better I have changed my mind. I do not HATE my IPOD anymore. I have upgraded my opinion, now that it is working, to "LIKE my IPOD".

Have a good weekend.

[Doublewide]

I would also like to say a special thanks to ashawley. Whoever you are you have always been very helpful and cordial in helping me with my problems.

[AndrewHarrison]

i'm with enjoilax. i have never ever had a problem with my iPod ever. From the moment i got home with it, it has been smooth sailing. The biggest problem i've had with it is deciding whether or not to use the remote [i chose the latter].

I use Windows XP, USB [1.1 - so dreadfully slow, but hey, there's not much i can do about it], iTunes. It all works seamlessly together. Exactly what i wanted.

[stormquinn]

I also had a lot of problems using my 40 gig ipod with my PC when I first got it but its starting to work consistently now finally. About a week after I got the ipod, it started prompting me to reformat the driver every time I connected it, and would not work after that so I had to send it in. It didn't help that Apple's customer service is awful...there is no phone number you can call and you have to fill out one of those support forms that forces you to try several solutions that don't work before getting to sending an e-mail requesting support.

When I got it back, it worked, but not consistently and I was regretting buying it. However, I think the problem was Musicmatch 7.1 because once I upgraded to 8.2 it has worked every time. I tried itunes also but I am familiar with the musicmatch interface so I didn't like it...it seems to lack the sophisticated library organizing features musicmatch has plus I haven't found a way to rename the ID3 tags like musicmatch does.

My question tho retains to buying music. Can you really burn a WMA file to CD and then rip from that as a regular mp3 (and put on your ipod)? Also, I would like to install itunes to buy tracks from there but I am afraid to do this for two reason 1) itunes has been reported to purposely mess up musicmatch and stop it from working 2) in order to download from itunes, i believe you have to upgrade the firmware, and then the ipod won't work with musicmatch

[Doublewide]

From my research, this is what I get out of of your question.

1. Itunes will not work with MMJB. My MMJB would not recognize my IPOD after I installed itunes. It recognized it just fine before.

I have heard you can burn a wma file to a cd and then rip it back as a regular mp3. However, that takes time. Not sure about other peoples computer but if you download 50 wma files and burn them to a cd and then rip them back that will take a long time. I am guessing you can fit about 15-17 songs on each cd and how long does that take to burn? Do that a few times and then rip it back up. This process = pain in the ###. If you have already spent the $50 to download these files maybe it might be worth it. I had the same problem and just decided to chalk it up to a learning experience.

[zerock]

Originally posted by stark23x
Of course there are. Apple is A: not experienced at programming for the Windows environment, and B: 3% of the personal computer market.

i really think its not 3% anymore

[farbror Melker]

Originally posted by Doublewide
I think I am going to dump this piece of crap out and get something new.
Perhaps a good move. Heres a good hint from Iriver. Its likely to arrive early summer:

http://www.iriver.co.kr/down/img/ipk210b11.jpg

[dbett]

Originally posted by zerorocker
i really think its not 3% anymore

You're right. It's now below 2%. (http://macobserver.com/article/2004/02/26.11.shtml)

[2steps]

Originally posted by LowMach
My life is better when my ipod is working correctly!

:D

Me too

[2steps]

I've heard iriver is good too. Thinking of dumping the ipod for one in fact

[si_sleaf]

Originally posted by stark23x
Of course there are. Apple is A: not experienced at programming for the Windows environment


You think maybe they recruit people that are?
;) :p I'm sure they don't just throw their Unix Nerd's into a room with a Windows SDK and tell them to get on with it!

[ElPapa]

Originally posted by Enigma
I've heard good things about the iRiver iHP140, http://www.iriveramerica.com/estore/ihp-140.htm

They sound great, but *dang* they are ugly... They look like they were designed by the guy who designed the Star Wars sets in 1977...!

[Doublewide]

Well, I am back to hating my IPOD again. Just when I get her working the way I want she comes back to get me again. I charged my battery all night because I had done some serious downloading and wanted to pass it along to my IPOD. I unplug it and it says there is not enough power to power my IPOD and to plug it back into the wall. It seems my battery has died. UNREAL. I have had it for about a year or maybe longer and use alot more while having it plugged in than on its own. Can't wait to figure out this one. Or how much the idiots over at Apple will charge me to replace this.

[AndyH]

Originally posted by Doublewide
Well, I am back to hating my IPOD again. Just when I get her working the way I want she comes back to get me again. I charged my battery all night because I had done some serious downloading and wanted to pass it along to my IPOD. I unplug it and it says there is not enough power to power my IPOD and to plug it back into the wall. It seems my battery has died. UNREAL. I have had it for about a year or maybe longer and use alot more while having it plugged in than on its own. Can't wait to figure out this one. Or how much the idiots over at Apple will charge me to replace this.

If you really do need to replace the battery, I'd suggest NOT sending it into Apple for replacement as that will cost you $99 and you can use a third-party company to replace it for less than half of that.

[ElPapa]

Here's one from PDA Smart for 65 bucks, delivered on the 3G models..

http://pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter.htm

[~.:variant:.~]

Doublewide, bummer to hear you are not enjoying your ipod. If you dont mind, im gonna make a few comments based on my personal expirences.

Your first problem is MusicMatch, this is the worst piece of software ever, i used it for a while and get so frustrated with the constant notice to update, that i junked it.

Enter itunes, what else can i say, its great. doesn't need to connect to the internet every time i open it. doen't need to download, 40 images of some lame rap group. just shows my songs and plays them. Not only that around my house music is constantly playing, the computer illiterate friends of mine, have no problem navigating through songs, and creating thier own playlists.

I strongly feel that if you are having issues with itunes you have not configured it/windows properly. check your options and adjust some settings.

I love my ipod, couldn't peacefully ride the bus to work without it.

And the battery thing, yeah you should have seen that coming a mile away, that is probably the single most documented issue. I havent had mine long enogh to have battery issues, so im intested to see, how easily you will be repacing yours:)

[Doublewide]

As always, thanks for all the comments. Always nice to find a place to vent. My wife does not understand. I explain my IPOD frustrations to her and she looks at me with a funny look and says something like,"you are really freaking me out."

She just does not understand. Once you get started on this, at least for me, I get a bit obsessed.

I really wish I could have gotten Itunes to work. Variant, are you a Mac user? My wife has a Mac. I grew up with one. Not against them at all. I am just sure that this thing works much smoother on that system than Windows.

I can tell you this. I am not replacing the battery myself. I think there is an independent Apple place up the street from me. Yup, could be one of the only ones in the country. Not sure. But I am taking it up to him.

Thanks again for the comments.

By the way, Limewire is by far my favorite for P2P sharing. I will get my battery fixed.

[Doublewide]

Oh, and by the way. Before the untimely death of my battery. I was back withMMJB to download everything onto my nemisis. As has been stated a million times in threads I have many double, triple, quadruple etc. artist duplicates on my IPOD. Fixed a few. I am just glad to have the damn songs on the bad boy.

[~.:variant:.~]

Right, ok first off downloading music from p2p is illegal in my country, if your in america too, probably best to keep that info to yourself;)

the reason you have the doubles, and tripples of artists is b/k they have variations in the name of the artist. eg jimi hendrix, and jimi hendrix , (notice the extra spaces behind) will give you the same songs in both listings. you will have to go through and manualy change each astist name to the same name. Just ctrl+C, ctrl +V. tip: its probably the last one in the artist list that has the errant name. Is this making sense? I know this is the reason, i just figured it out on mine:)

~.:variant:.~